The signs of E. coli and effectiveness of bacteriophage treatment

Colibacillosis, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, has become worrying issue in poultry flocks worldwide. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection is considered as one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality, associated with heavy economic losses to the poultry industry.

The first symptoms of the respiratory tract infection may be difficulty in breathing, nasal discharges, sneezing. After necropsy the observations usually are swollen kidney, reddish lungs, thin whitish layer over liver and heart.

The disease is often in laying hens, yolk sac infections are frequently observed towards the end of the egg incubating period, usually following faecal contamination of the egg surface. Diarrhoea, loose and wet droppings or undigested feed in litter may be another indicator of APEC infection.

Colibacillosis is enhanced by insufficient farm hygiene or unfavourable housing conditions, but it may be also spread by rodents or insects. Read more